Loose-leaf binder.



` No. 737,317. PATENTBD AUG; 2 5,f19'o3\.

\ J. R. BARRETT.- f

Loos LEAF BINDER',

P rLIoATIoN FILED 00126, 1902;l

N0 IODBL'.

wrm?. M/MM l @QM UNITED STATES Patented August 25, 1903.

"PA-TENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. BARRETT', OF` CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ERIK L. KRAG, OF

CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

LoosE-LEAF BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent N o. 737,317, dated August 25, 1903.

Application led October 6, 1902.` Serial No. 126,193. (No model.)

lov ctZZ whom, t may concern: k

Be it known that I, JOHN RBARRETT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-'Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

-One ofthe objects of this invention is the production of a spring-back binder wherein the springaction may be withdrawn and the binder opened to insert or to remove leaves.Y

A further object of the invention is the applicationof a torsion-spring to binders.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l isy vide a back portion comprising the two parts l and 2, each substantially L shape in crosssection. These back members l and 2 arel hinged together at their adjacent inner edges in any suitable manner, as by means of the hinges 3, the leaves of which vare bent to con-v form to the inner faces of said back'members. Upon each leaf of said hinges a curved holding-pin 4 is secured, which holding-pins ex-4 tend inward, the pointof each piu being adapted to .enter an opening 5 in the opposite leaf of the hinge in order to permit` of a sufficient length of said holding-pins. The pintle of the hinges is formed of a piece 'of spring-wire 6, extending lengthwise of the binder along the pivotal joint between the back members l and 2, one end of said pintle being bent at a right angle and again upon itself in the hookl 7 and at its opposite end bent in a similar manner in the hook 8. Both hooks 7 and 8, however, lie in substantially the same plane. The point of the hook 7 is adapted to enter an opening 9, provided for it and formed in the substance of the back member 2 underneath a leaf of one of the hinges 3. The hook 8 is bent upward in a standing portion 10 to provide a means for grasping it in order to move the pintle-wire y6 longitudinally of the hinge members. The hook 8 is' also lprovided with a holder-11 for retaining the end of said hook, though permitting a longitudinal movement ofthe hook and pintle-wire. When` the pintle-wire 6 is slid upward-(toward the upper edge of the hook) and I[he hook 7 lies with its point in the opening 9 in the back member 2, the

pintle-spring 6 is in position to hold the back members 1 and 2 in a normal or closed position by the torsional resistance of said pintlelwire; but when said hook is removed from the opening 9 the back members move freely upon vsaid pintle-wire.V u .A

Covers l2 are flexibly secured inrany suitable manner at the outer edges of the back members l and 2.

In the binder illustrated the points of the holding-pinsr4 overlap slightly when the binder is opened to its widest extent upon the pintle 6, and loose leaves are inserted by bending them and putting them into place between said-holding-pins. The holdin g-pins 4, however, may be made slightly shorter than those illustrated herein, so that. their points will not be' overlapping when the binder is open.

Ifdesirable, a lock maybe' added to provide a positive vmeans for holding the hinge members ina closed .position instead of depending upon the stiffness of the spring-pin- In use leaves are put into -the'binder by opening the same upon its hinge-joint, and this is accomplished by pressing downward vupon the standing portion l0 of the hook 8,

points of the holdingpins enter the openings 5 in the leaves of the hinges 3, said openings ICO being provided to allow for a length of holdl ing-piu suiiieient to permit the points of said pins to overlap even when the binder is opened to its Widest extent. This Will pre- Vent leaves from being accidentally dropped from the binder, although they may be removed When the binder is opened by bending them slightly.

The embodiment herein shown of my invention is susceptible of various modifications, many changes in the form and arrangement of parts being possible without a departure from the spirit of my invention. I therefore desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to the speeie construetion herein set forth.

I claim as'my invention- 1. In a loose-leaf binder, in combination, two back members; a hinge for connecting said back members, said hinge having a pintle of spring material, said pintle being bent in hook form at its opposite ends; and a holder on one of said back members or torsioually engaging one end of said pintle, the other member being provided With a socket or opening adapted to receive the other hook end of said spring-pintle.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, in combination, two back members; a hinge for connecting said back members, the pintle of said hinge being formed of spring material and bent in oppositely-extending hooks at its opposite ends; and aholder on one of said back members for one of the ends of said spring-pintle, the other back member being provided with a socket or opening adapted to receive the opposite hooked end of said pintle.

JOHN R. BARRETT.

Witnesses:

A. M. BELFIELD, Gno. L. CHINDAHL. 

